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Notes In Observance – TNA Impact Wrestling 11/10/16: The Reveal

“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.

(Aired 11/10/16)

The Reveal

– The opening in-ring segment with Ethan Carter III, Eli Drake, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards, The Miracle, Maria and Moose was standard as far as what we’ve seen on the mic from all involved here, with the mission to push specific programs. Of course, we knew that Drake would challenge Edwards for the belt later as per his “Bound For Gold” briefcase. We also had Miracle and EC3 in a clash over who was rightful to challenge for the belt next. Everybody spent a good minute to put themselves over before Moose came down to commence the physicality. In the end, it was apparent this was used to hype the match to follow.

– The TNA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifying match between Moose and Miracle was actually one of their better efforts, as we saw the heel work a strategy where he targeted Moose’s legs consistently. Maria was ejected early on, which made us think it was an out for Miracle to lose. Eventually, Moose shaped a comeback and hit a solid sit-down powerbomb for a near-fall. This was one of Commentator Josh Mathews’ better calls, as he helped sell Miracle’s goal and not to dismiss Moose at the same time. Another cool near-fall with a Miracle piledriver before we eventually got our finish that played into Miracle’s cowardly ways, as he slid into the ring at the Referee’s eight-count when Moose ran into the steel steps in an attempt to charge at him. Moose never made it back in time, so it was Miracle who’d advance.

– The backstage promo from Al Snow hyped the segment for later, as we learned that he was back and better than ever (he’s got nothing on Eric Bischoff) and to keep an eye out because The Tribunal had a big celebration planned. We assume it’s for Snow’s return, since their mission to eliminate the TNA World Tag Team Champions The Broken Hardys didn’t go as well as they planned.

– The first Cameron, North Carolina Broken Hardys cutscene that revolved around Matt Hardy’s amnesia was more comedy gold. They used Senor Benjamin as a direct Snoop Dog “Gin And Juice” reference, as he used Matt to do his housework. What we learned here was that Matt wanted to build an additional dining room, as Brother Nero came to visit to try to jog his memory back. Matt dropped his broken accent in favor of a more West Coast one, as he was now a “blue collar man.” Funny stuff.

– The in-ring segment with The Tribunal, Snow and Mahabali Shera had the right idea, but a poor execution. This was The Tribunal “making a statement” as they introduced Snow to the ring and basically turned on him. Snow remained his comedically brash self, so we didn’t feel any sympathy to the actual turn. Anyways, Shera was used as the guy to “save” Snow and that ended up with both guys receiving some stiff-looking low blows, as they were laid out. The idea of Tribunal turning on Snow we liked, but why put Shera in there? Snow was rolling as a comedic veteran heel. We don’t want him and Shera teaming up. That’ll roll more eyes than a necrophiliac Triple H. See, that turn angle would’ve worked if the goal was to build up Tribunal when they feuded with the Hardys. Ah, well.

– The backstage promo from Jessie Godderz had us learn that he would wait for TNA Impact Grand Champion Aron Rex in the parking lot and was set out to kick his ass. The classic “waiting in the parking lot” angle.

– The TNA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Match between Abyss and EC3 was fine, but largely throwaway from the competitors and stipulation. We already knew EC3 was on this serious mission to get the gold and Abyss was simply a beautiful obstacle. Lackluster ring action that ended when EC3 made Abyss submit to a sleeper when swings with a chair were ineffective for the monster. One thing we liked was how quickly EC3 got out of there, which made him appear more focused.

– The hype video for the Drake-Edwards Title match was pretty well-done, as we saw Drake praise Edwards on the way he won the belt, but stressed that his time was up now. Both guys put themselves over pretty good here.

– The second Broken Hardys cutscene was more outrageous humor, as this time Reby, Nero and Benjamin tried to get Matt’s memory back as they sang the “Obsolete” song and looked to Matt to fill in the “Obsolete” line, to which Matt looked confused. Instead, he sang Alanis Morrissette’s “Ironic” for a gut buster moment and was more invested in his lobster bisque soup. He also called Reby “Debbie.” Nero suggested he get on his motorcycle with him for a “fun ride,” much to Matt’s displeasure.

– The in-ring segment with Jeremy Borash, TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim, Jade and Decay seemed to be set up on the surface as a Kim retirement speech, but lacked certain feelings to convey it. We did like what it ended up as though, an attempt to put Rosemary over as the biggest threat for Kim’s Title. We liked the idea that Kim would “pass the torch” to Jade as the Knockouts Division’s “future,” but who are we kidding? We can’t recall any classic Jade matches. It’s a bit of a stretch there. Rosemary’s attack on both ladies was well-done, even if the Coast-To-Coast on Jade looked like it missed. We were also unsure if they were building a Rosemary-Kim feud, a Rosemary-Jade feud or a three-way with all involved. Either way, the KO Division’s back to being semi-intriguing.

– The TNA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifying match between TNA X-Division Champion DJZ, Trevor Lee and Rockstar Spud was your basic weekly spotfest, only with the goal this time to propel someone to a main event spotlight. Certainly beats that Team X Gold crap. The only different thing about this ensemble was a spot where DJZ hit his ankle on the railing on his way down from a springboard plancha. Lee was the “angry man from North Carolina” and did about three extended German Suplexes. Another cool spot where DJZ flew around the ropes to dropkick Spud while he held on to Lee to hit an arm drag on him afterwards. In the end, it was Lee who won with the Fisherman Buster on Spud after DJZ was hit by a low-blow by Spud. A bit surprising that it was Lee who went over, but that only told us that Lee would be in the match to take the pinfall.

– The backstage segment with Aiden O’Shea, Grado and Robbie E set things up for later, as we learned that O’Shea informed Grado/Robbie E that they had a match next as a team, but their opponent was a “little pissed off,” and of course, it was Lashley.

– The backstage segment with Allie and Brandi Rhodes was good progression, as we saw Brandi approach Allie as she watched a Braxton Sutter match on her iPad (where would you even find one to watch?) and suggested that she team with her to take on Sienna/Laurel Van Ness. Allie was conflicted and ultimately turned it down, because Maria paid her bills. We got that first instance where Brandi tried to get Allie to stand up for herself, but thus, it wasn’t time yet.

– The TNA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifying 2-On-1 Handicap match between Grado/Robbie E and Lashley was what we expected it to be – a comedic/mauling squash by the Destroyer. There were some expected hope spots worked in for the babyface team, but that was only to set up the devastating spear on Robbie E to end it all. Lashley advanced and we weren’t surprised in the least. It did baffle us however, that the “fast count” from last week was never mentioned by commentary or Lashley himself. Guess he doesn’t care.

– The backstage brawl segment with Rex and Godderz succeeded in its goal to progress their feud. We saw Rex as this cowardly, cautious heel who only cared about his reflection in the belt and even warned his driver of a speed bump so he could protect the belt. Funny. His ruffled back shirt also looked ridiculous, but fit his character. Nice visual effect as they got into an assumed production trailer and we saw Rex’s face pushed into the glass of the front door. In the end, Rex scurried away after an eye rake and jetted to his car and got out of there. A little physicality goes a long way and this feud only got stronger from it.

– The final Hardys cutscene saw a last-ditch effort by Nero as he brought Matt to the very river where he was “healed.” Now, he wanted to do the same to Matt and tried to remind him how they got to where they were. We even saw an appearance from the scribe, who wanted to write “Delete,” but Matt didn’t understand it. Nero’s attempt to change Matt went without success, as the water made no difference. Nero snapped and insisted he’d go to Orlando himself to take on DCC, to which Matt argued that communication was the answer and not violence. Funny.

– The TNA World Heavyweight Championship main event between Champion Edwards and Drake was good as an in-ring affair, but lacked any drama necessary to put it to the next level. With all the talk of this #1 Contender’s match and all involved, we didn’t have enough evidence that Drake would be the one to get the gold yet, especially with Edwards in that phase where he needs the belt to put him over as a Champion. It’s a hit-or-miss tactic in wrestling, but it works with Edwards. The action wasn’t memorable and not enough false finishes to make us think Drake would win. Drake did put in a nice performance though, so at least he was elevated in some capacity. The Boston Knee Party gave us the expected finish and Edwards retained. The show’s talking point would come post-match when DCC appeared to lay the Champ out and they finally revealed themselves as Eddie Kingston, Bram and James Storm. The idea of these guys in a faction has great potential, though we wish Kingston had more storyline support. The big developments here were Bram and Storm, as we wondered what happened to them as of late. Wonder no more. It’ll be cool to see what happens when Nero gets to Orlando from North Carolina, but that’s a tale for next week we guess.

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About Nicholas Jason Lopez

Just a 25 year-old Brooklynite. Nothing more, nothing less.
Currently Freelancing for The Bensonhurst Bean website in Brooklyn, he has also been published on sites such as Review Fix, College University of New York Athletic Conference, Dying Scene, Brooklyn News Service, All Media NY, BrooklynFans.com and Yahoo Voices.
He has also interned for The Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator based out of Brooklyn, NY.